Workforce

Women@NASA: First Internship Results in Career

By


When I started working at NASA, I still didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up. On my very first day, I was barely 16 years old. I was part of a high school summer internship program – my first job ever! Everything was so exciting – even filling out tax forms! I remember getting my program folder that held my assignment: the Procurement Division. Then I remember sheepishly asking, “what exactly is that?” I was taken to meet all of the people I would be working with that summer. Until then adults were always “Mr. or Ms. So and So”. Everyone was being introduced by their first name and I got so nervous because I didn’t know how I was going to address them! During my first week, I was asked to call the grants office at MIT to get some information from the office so their grant money could be processed. All I could think was, “I don’t even know how to drive a car. I’m supposed to call one of the most famous universities in the world and help them?” I very quickly learned that at NASA, even at 16, I was treated as a peer and respected professionally. It was a powerful lesson! Everyone believed in me and wanted me to succeed. I did call MIT, and I did help them. As the summer progressed, it was easy to see everyone as co-workers and friends, rather than “grown-ups”. My confidence in myself grew as I was given more and more responsibility. By my second summer I identified my own project and was given the freedom to plan and execute it. I did 4 summer and 2 winter break rotations; the maximum I was allowed. At the end of my 4th summer, the director of the division asked if I would consider changing my major from history to business so he could hire me as a co-op and eventually a full-time employee. It was difficult, but I knew I had to turn him down. As much as I loved NASA and adored the people I worked with, my interest didn’t lie in business. I knew I had to follow my heart, be true to myself and trust that if NASA was where I was meant to be, it would be!

History had always been my favorite subject and I knew that I wanted a career that somehow involved that. I thought maybe I would work in a museum or for the park service. The last two years of college I worked in the university archives and was hooked! I decided I would pursue a master’s degree in Library Science at the University of Maryland and become an archivist. When I got to Library School, I learned about the related field of records and information management. After the first semester I started looking for a summer job back home in Cleveland. And guess who was looking for a co-op in the field of archives and records management? If you guessed NASA – you’d be right. The odds of this job coming up when I was looking are about slim to none. Blessed. That’s me! So, I did something bold. I called the person who would be the position mentor and flat out said, “I am the only person in the world who can do this job.” Following my heart 3 years earlier had paid off. Being at NASA was meant to be! Keep reading →

 /  Published November 6, 2012 at 7:00 AM

Anti-Conference Trend Forces Innovation Amid Concern

By


Government agencies and departments are learning to live with travel restrictions and discovering innovative alternatives amid an anti-conference trend brought on by budget restrictions and well-publicized abuses.

But some managers fear the trend will inhibit federal workers’ ability to stay current with new technology field advancements or to consult with experts in the private sector via site visits, professional seminars and annual conferences. Keep reading →

 /  Published October 31, 2012 at 1:30 PM

Women@NASA: Teenage Mom Excels In Math And Science

By


As a young girl I was mischievous, imaginative, and strong-willed. I was considered a tomboy by my family and friends because I enjoyed outdoor activities and taking things apart. I enjoyed playing with action figures and would hide my sisters Barbie dolls so that she wouldn’t have a choice but to play what I wanted. But my favorite times were spent working with my dad on projects, whether it was changing the oil on our vehicles, working on an air conditioner, putting a sprinkler system in or simply mowing the lawn. My time with him provided ample opportunities for me to ask “How” or “Why” and taught me hard work, perseverance, integrity and to always put forth my best effort in everything I did.

Both my parents encouraged me and gave me the needed ‘push’ to excel when I felt overwhelmed and wanted to give up, always re-instilling the character traits they worked so hard to teach me. I was often told “you will reap what you sow.” I knew when I got older I wanted to get married and have kids and a home, but I hadn’t put much thought into how I was going to get there. Being a goal oriented individual, I figured I needed to focus on school to see my dreams come to fruition. Keep reading →

 /  Published October 30, 2012 at 7:00 AM

Women@NASA: Temporary Job Turns Into Lifelong Career

By


Growing up I was aware of the Apollo moon landings but never dreamed of working for NASA. I grew up in a small rural Ohio community and spent most of my time with the animals or exploring the woods. My love for animals and nature led me to consider careers as a veterinarian or marine biologist. I loved science, math and music. While my career is based on science and math, music remains a big part of my life outside work. In college, I could not quite decide on a major. I didn’t want a job where I did the same thing every day-that would be too boring. I wanted something ever-changing to keep me active and engaged. Following my love for science and math, I graduated with a B.S. in Occupational Health and Safety.

Looking for my first “real job”, a mentor suggested I apply at NASA Lewis (now Glenn) Research Center. When I was hired as an industrial hygienist, I truly expected to stay only five years before moving on to private industry. However, once I got here I found many opportunities that kept me active and engaged. My assignments have changed every 3 to 5 years allowing me to learn new things and stretch myself. I’ve been with NASA over 25 years now and I haven’t gotten bored yet. Being part of NASA, supporting aerospace research, development and innovation, has been extremely rewarding. I have seen a Shuttle roll-out, two launches and a landing and I got goose bumps and teary-eyed each time. Keep reading →

 /  Published October 23, 2012 at 7:00 AM

Women@NASA: Contributing To The Future Of Aerospace

By


When my second-grade teacher asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up, I said that I wanted to be the first female astronaut. Boys in the class quipped that girls couldn’t be astronauts, but my teacher replied that I could be whatever I wanted to be. At that moment, I decided that I would work hard and do what it would take to follow my dream of working for NASA, a dream I’d had for as long as I can remember.

Years later, I mentioned my love of fighter jets, like those in the Top Gun movie, to my freshman Algebra 2 teacher. She recommended that I consider becoming an aerospace engineer. From that point on, I was determined to work for NASA as an aerospace engineer. I knew the path I needed to follow, so I took math, science, and drafting classes that prepared me to attend an engineering college. Looking back, I was fortunate to have teachers, many of them female, who were strong in math and science and really pushed me to excel. Keep reading →

 /  Published October 16, 2012 at 7:00 AM

Women@NASA: Career Encourages ‘Never Stop Learning’ Attitude

By


I am the deputy managerof the Science and Technology Chief Engineers office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. I consider myself lucky to have the privilege of working on so many exciting space projects and programs. It is amazing to look at the technology that I work on each day – especially compared to my life growing up on a rural farm in North Alabama.

I don’t ever remember thinking I was poor while growing up. We always had plenty of food that we raised on the farm, and everyone in that rural area seemed to be in a similar situation. I was always taught that you work hard regardless of what your job is. Growing up with seven siblings, I worked on the farm – picking cotton, milking cows and cleaning out chicken houses. My first real job was at a chicken processing plant and I was glad to get it. Later, I worked at a cotton mill and washed dishes at a nursing home to put myself through junior college. All jobs, no manner how menial, are important. They provide a sense of accomplishment if you do the work to the best of your ability. Keep reading →

 /  Published October 9, 2012 at 9:00 AM

Fiscal Cliff Threatens 277,000 Federal Jobs

By

Federal workers have weathered a two-year pay freeze, increased health insurance premiums, and threats of more cuts from Republicans.



Now their jobs are in jeopardy. Some 277,000 workers — 14% of the federal work force — could lose their jobs in the next 12 months if the U.S. cannot avert the so-called fiscal cliff, according to a study by the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University.

 /  Published October 5, 2012 at 12:48 PM

Women@NASA: Research Project Starts as Temporary Income, Turns Into Career

By


This is one among a collection of videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA‘s mission. They are part of the agency’s efforts to create a collaborative and supportive community of women at the agency, inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to encourage openness and accountability at NASA.

I began my first NASA research project only a year after I started studying mechanical engineering. I was in my mid-twenties and an “older” college student. I had studied musical theatre and education after high school, but I kept dropping out of college and going to work. I worked a waitress for a few years, and then as a veterinary technician for another few years. I also rented rooms and booked tours at the Grand Canyon and managed a gas station. Keep reading →

 /  Published October 2, 2012 at 7:00 AM

Business Case, Performance Trump Resistance To Telework Culture

By

With the savings on real estate, energy costs and travel expenses along with improved productivity and worker satisfaction, some might think managers and employees would embrace the transition to a telework culture. But that hasn’t been the case for many in the federal workforce.

Still, telework comes with too many benefits to ignore, said panelists at the Telework Exchange Town Hall meeting Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Strong business cases, capable technology, improved employee performance (see GSA performance tracking dashboard video, above) and mandates to reduce greenhouse gases and federal real estate space make telework worth the culture change effort. Keep reading →

 /  Published September 26, 2012 at 1:00 PM

Government Leaders Address Workforce Issues Before Senate Committee

By

Government leaders offered testimony today at a Senate hearing on steps being taken to ensure effectiveness and efficiency in the federal workforce.

Several witnesses delivered remarks to the Subcommittee on the Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia about the most serious challenges facing federal workers. Keep reading →

 /  Published September 19, 2012 at 4:00 PM
Page 7 of 261...34567891011...26